Multifunctional, intelligent power and communication device

ABSTRACT

A device may be connected to a power grid in order to perform beneficial functions for the end user and/or utility company such as backup power, power quality improvement, peak shaving of the electrical load, etc. The device may include energy storage devices, such as batteries, and intelligent hardware and software that control charging and discharging and that enable interactive communications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 10/710,088, filed on Jun. 17, 2004 and entitled “Multifunctional Intelligent Power and Communication Device”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a multifunctional, intelligent power and communication device.

BACKGROUND

The current electricity infrastructure relies on electricity production and delivery on demand. Some critical operations have back-up generators and/or uninterruptible power systems, which can provide local power for a limited time, but it is not widespread and the usage of distributed generators is not economically and environmentally optimized.

The communication infrastructure today relies on a combination of landlines and wireless systems. In case of emergencies where the landlines are cut and/or a few strategic wireless towers are lost, the communication system can no longer operate.

SUMMARY

A device is connected to a power grid in order to perform beneficial functions for the end user and/or utility company such as backup power, power quality improvement, peak shaving of the electrical load, etc. The device may include energy storage devices, such as batteries, and intelligent hardware and software that control charging and discharging and that enable interactive communications.

The device can be remotely controlled and monitored through the use of communications hardware such as, but not limited to, Internet, phone-line, power-line, wireless, cellular, RF, microwave, or a combination of these.

As an addition to the functions above, the device may be used in an emergency response mode to perform critical functions as a crisis may require. This may include acting as a self-powered communications repeater, network information server, communications node, or remote emergency data acquisition node.

The device may be outfitted with any number of sensors or the device may be connected to critical equipment for emergency interaction.

The device may be configured to supplement its own energy storage with intelligent control of external sources such as generators, fuel cells, or others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the basic device configuration.

FIG. 2 displays normal operation.

FIG. 3 displays emergency operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

There are a number of significant design features and improvements incorporated within this disclosure.

A device may be connected to the power grid in order to perform beneficial functions for the end user and/or utility company such as backup power, power quality improvement, peak shaving of the electrical load, etc. The device may include energy storage devices, such as batteries, and intelligent hardware and software that control charging and discharging and that enable interactive communications.

Examples of the device's 1 basic components are shown in FIG. 1. The basic device configuration may include a battery/energy storage; advanced controller; and one or more communication devices at least one of which may be capable of functioning as a repeater unit to relay communication. The main components are the communication node 10, the intelligent controller 20 and the energy storage 30.

The device 1 includes the energy storage component 30, such as a battery or capacitor bank, which is coupled to an intelligent power management controller 20. This controller 20 may be capable of regulating the flow of energy in and out of the energy storage device 30 and may include components such as DC-AC converters, DC-DC converters, and AC-DC converters. The intelligent controller 20 may be connected to a communications node 10 that has the capability to provide remote interaction with the controller via any number of communications protocols for information exchange, monitoring and/or control. By utilizing the individual capabilities of the device 1 in a networked-system approach, many new and important benefits may be realized.

Functioning in normal mode, the device 1 may provide benefits to the utility, community, and end-user of electricity.

In case of a power and/or communications failure, the device 1 unit may turn into a battery powered, redundant communications and distributed energy network.

During normal operation, as shown in FIG. 2, power is supplied from central power plant, and communication is facilitated using standard infrastructure. The device 1 provides power quality to the users and provides peak load reduction, peak shaving, and/or load leveling. The base device 1 may include its own energy storage and communications hardware necessary to perform remote inter-active AC load management. The device 1 may provide interaction with external generators and other sources and the device 1 may provide remote monitoring of energy parameters, such as time of usage.

The device 1 during emergency operation is detailed in FIG. 3. The power plant 40 cannot provide electricity and normal communication infrastructure is disabled. The device may provide electricity to users, manage distributed electricity generation, and function as a relay in an alternative communication network. The device 1 may provide extended battery backup for users as well as for communications. The device 1 also may provide a communications link infrastructure.

Hardware and software included in the device 1 may enable the system to become a self-powered, emergency communications network node. This may provide a redundant communication network where one or more signal devices is capable of functioning as a repeater unit to relay communications.

The intelligent control 20 may enable virtual networking of mobile generation. The communications streams, power data, remote sensor data, externally acquired data and global positioning data may be broadcast and relayed. The intelligent control 20 may enable a controlled shutdown of critical equipment over a wide area. The intelligent control 20 may include a computer processor connected to a memory means. These are common in the industry and not described in great detail here.

The device 1 may be equipped with sensors configured to send information to local or centralized entities to warn about earthquakes, chemical or biological warfare, or other conditions that require a response.

The device 1 may be equipped with position devices (i.e. GPS) to transmit the exact location of the device 1 for highly manageable emergency deployment. The device 1 may be equipped to manage local distributed power generators such as fuel-cells, gas turbines, and diesel or gas generators. It may work independently or complementary to the power grid and standard telephone and/or wireless networks as conditions allow.

Alternative Embodiments

As an addition to the functions described above, the device 1 may be used in an emergency response mode to perform critical functions as a crisis may require. This may include acting as a self-powered communications repeater, network information server, communications node, or remote emergency data acquisition node.

The device may be outfitted with any number of sensors or be hooked to critical equipment for emergency interaction.

The device may be configured to supplement its own energy storage with intelligent control of external sources such as generators, fuel cells, or others.

Although considerable detail has been described, other versions are possible. Therefore, the point and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions disclosed herein.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description, equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by this disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only. Further, numerous modifications and changes will readily occur relative to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is not desired to limit this disclosure to the construction and operation shown and described. 

1. A power device, comprising: a communication node connected to an intelligent controller connected to an energy storage means.
 2. A device as in claim 1 where said communication node can communication wireless to external sources.
 3. A device as in claim 2 wherein each said external sources control the flow of energy from the energy storage through the intelligent controller.
 4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said controller is connected to said inverter through a communication bus.
 5. A device as in claim 1 wherein said device functions as a communication network node.
 6. A device as in claim 1 in which sensors are connected to said intelligent controller.
 7. A device as in claim 6 wherein said sensors are earthquake sensor and said communication node sends sensor data to a receiving node.
 8. A device as in claim 6 wherein said sensors are chemical sensor and said communication node sends sensor data to a receiving node.
 9. A device as in claim 6 wherein said sensors are biological sensor and said communication node sends sensor data to a receiving node.
 10. A device as in claim 1 where said communication node provides remote interaction with said internal controller via a plurality of communications protocols.
 11. A device as in claim 1 where said energy storage means is a battery.
 12. A device as in claim 1 where said energy storage means is a capacitor bank.
 13. A device as in claim 1 where said internal controller is a computer processing chip.
 14. A device as in claim 1 wherein said internal controller is connected to a memory means.
 15. A device as in claim 1 wherein said internal controller controls processes.
 16. A device as in claim 15 wherein said process is managing power generating means.
 17. A device as in claim 15 wherein said process is managing emergency deployment.
 18. A method using the device as in claim 1 as a communications repeater.
 19. A device as in claim 1 further comprising a global positioning means connected to said internal controller.
 20. A device as in claim 1 wherein said device manages local power distribution means. 